Holiday travel: 5 tips for taking off with prescription medications

With the joys of the holiday season often comes road trips and air travel to visit with family and friends. While you may be preoccupied with thoughts of baking your favorite pumpkin pie recipe and picking out the perfect gifts, there’s something else that’s important for you to keep in mind as you prepare for festivities: managing your prescription medications.

But don’t stress! Here to offer important pointers is Amber Hudgins, a specialty pharmacist for Novant Health in Winston-Salem. Novant Health specialty pharmacies simplify complex prescriptions by providing tailored cost-saving benefits, free home delivery and 24/7 personalized support.

With a few steps, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to travel safely with your complex medication.

1. Be aware of your medication’s storage requirements.

Many of today’s therapies can be stored at room temperature for a surprising amount of time, Hudgins said, which makes traveling with them easy. If you have a prescription that requires refrigeration, such as insulin or other injectable drugs for diabetes, it’s necessary to travel with cold storage.

“Many manufacturers have travel packs they send to patients for free,” Hudgins said. Or, an insulated lunchbox or cooler with ice packs will typically stay cold for about 24 hours. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows ice packs for cold storage in both carry-on and checked baggage. (See more details about packing for air travel in No. 3.)

If traveling by road, store your medications in the most temperature-stable part of the vehicle instead of in the trunk, where temperature fluctuations are common.

2. Plan ahead for refills and bring an extra week’s supply of your medication.

Will you need a refill of your prescription during your trip? If so, make sure to get it filled in advance. And Hudgins recommends bringing an extra week’s worth of your medication with you, in case of flight cancellations or impassable roads due to winter weather. “You never know what could happen with delays!” she said.

Novant Health specialty pharmacists can work with your insurance company to provide a refill of your medications early if needed.

“Just let your Novant Health specialty pharmacist know in advance so we can get this taken care of, ordered, and delivered to you in ample time,” Hudgins said.

3. When flying, keep medications in your carry-on bag.

TSA suggests keeping all medications in your carry-on bag, instead of your checked baggage. Liquid and cream prescriptions are permitted in excess of the normal 3.4-ounce guidelines, as long as you disclose them and allow TSA to subject them to screening.

“I tell patients to keep their prescription label on the medication box to avoid any confusion,” Hudgins said.

4. Set medication reminders.

Traveling, whether it’s a relaxed or hectic visit, can cause changes to your normal routine that might make you forget to take your medication. Set a reminder note or alarm in your smartphone to remind you to take your medicine at your normal intervals.

If you are traveling into a different time zone, make sure to account for this in your medication schedule. If you are traveling internationally across several time zones, discuss your medication schedule with your primary care physician ahead of time.

5. Keep your Novant Health specialty pharmacy’s phone number on speed dial.

You might wonder if you can have a glass of wine with your holiday dinner, or if you can wear your patch medication in a hot tub. These are great questions to discuss with your Novant Health specialty pharmacist, who will go over drug interactions with you at the time of filling your prescription and are happy to review the information with you at any time.

“Novant Health specialty pharmacies have a pharmacist available by phone 24/7, so please do not hesitate to call in and ask your questions. We are happy to help,” Hudgins said. “No question is too minor.”